Swinging hammock



PATENTED FEB. 2 1904.

M. N. WERTZ & J. J. PARNBLL. SWINGING HAMMOCK.

APPLICATION FILED APR.13, 1903.

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PATENTBD FEB. 2, 1904. M. N. WERTZ & J. J. PARNELL. SWINGING HAMMOGK.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1903.

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Patented February 2, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MERRIAN NELVIN WVERTZ AND JOHN JOSEPH PARNELL, OF THOMAS- VILLE, GEORGIA.

SWINGING HAIVIIVIOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 751,125, dated February 2, 1904. Application filed April 13, 1903. Serial No. 152,360. (N0 model.)

To all when z, it may concern.-

.Be it known that we, MERRIAN NELVIN VVERTZ and J OHN J OSEPH PARNELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Thomasville, county of Thomas, State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Swinging Hammock for the Use of Children, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to swinging hammocks in which is provided a suitable frame that may be folded together and in which is suspended a hammock having a clockwork power device attached thereto in such a manner as to give a swinging motion to the said hammock when in use.

The object of our invention is to provide a self-operating device whereby the occupant may be tossed to and fro by a clock-like movement, vibrating and giving said hammock a swinging motion backward and forward till the spring is run down.

Now in the drawings which are a part of this specification we show as follows:

Figure 1 is aperspective view of our improved hammock in position for use; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the hammock folded together; Fig. 3, a sectional view of our hammock. In Fig. A is shown a dust-band that we employ in connection with our clock-like movement. Fig. 5 is a side view of the clockwork power device, showing the operative means of the above-described hammock and connection with the centering-rod, as hereinafter described.

In the construction of our invention we provide a framework of two similar parts composed of legs connected near the top and bottogether at the top, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, at A A, and mounted therein is a cylindrical cross bar or beam having sockets in each end to receive the protruding portion of hingepins, which are made long enough to form an axle or pivot to support said cylindrical cross bar or beam, as well as hold the hinges together, which makes the framework that supports the hammock. Now in the said cylindrical cross bar or beam is a centering-rod E Said two parts are hinged in perfect line with two hangers B B. (See Fig. 1.) All these parts are permanently attached to the said cylindrical cross bar or beam. Upon these two hangers B B is suspended the frame that swings the hammock X, which is composed of two perpendicular bars T T. They are connected together by two horizontal rods Z Z between the middle and top and sufiiciently apart to allow the clock-like movement to go between them and allow said rods Z Z to pass through the protruding ends of movement-plates, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby making the power deviceH a part of the frame that swings the hammock. At the bottom of this described frame is the hammock proper, X, which is oblong in form, composed of two similar parts, and hinged together at A A, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) so that it can be folded together, as shown in Fig. 2. This hammock is made of canvas or other suitable material and loosely connected to the sides and end pieces of frame by buttons, nails,or tacks, thus formingareceptacle in which the occupant may recline, as shown in Fig. 1. This said hammock X is connected to the supporting-frame at hinges A A by the hinge-pins, which are left long enough to go through the lower ends of the two perpendicular bars T T, thus permanently fastening the hammock X to the swinging frame, as hereinbefore described. Said hammock is kept level by means of cords or chains K K, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen that when main framework is open as far as stay-straps C will permit, as shown in Fig. 1, the hammock and its supporting-frame will swing backward and forward on hangers B B and the occupant thus be tossed to and fro. Fig. 2 shows the main supporting-framework,as well as hammock X, folded by means of the hinges at A A at top of the frame and at the bottom of the two perpendicular bars T T of swing-frame, as hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 1 is shown a clamp D with a thumbnut G. Saidclamp is securely fastened by bolt J to one of the top cross-bars of the supporting-framework. In top of said clamp is an opening sufficient in size and shape for the reception of the cylindrical cross bar or beam, as hereinbefore described. By means of thumbnut G clamp D is made to clasp said cylindrical cross bar or beam and hold it securely in whatever position it was at the time the clamp was screwed up, thus making it a rigid part of the framework till released by clamp D, when said cylindrical cross bar or beam can turn either way on its pivots at A A. Now when said cylindrical cross bar or beam is thus released the rod E (see Fig. l) is made perpendicular or plumb by the weight of the hammock X, suspended on the hangers B B, which are perpendicular with the rod E, thus always bringing this said centering-rod E plumb even though main framework is used in unleveled places.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of our hammock and power device, as Well as clamp D and its thumb-nut G, also showing the centering-rod E permanently fixed in the cylindrical cross bar or beam, as hereinbefore described.

Fig. 4 shows a dust-band that we employ to go around the movement between the plates, and it is held there by means of screw P.

Fig. 5 shows our clock-like power device consisting V of an arbor O, with a square or threaded end I for the reception of a key, a mainspring, ratchet, and pawl, one or more wheels M M, a pallet L,with its extension-wire F connecting with the centering-rod E, so that it can vibrate freely when in use. The object of this power device is" to give the said hammock a swinging motion, which is accomplished by means of the pallet-wire F pulling and pushing against the centering-rod E, as the pallet is forced over the teeth of the escape-wheel by the power of the mainspring and train of wheels similar to that of a clock, the hammock-frame with hammock becoming a pendulum swinging to and fro by means of the pallet L, vibrating back and forth till the spring is run down or is stopped by the operator.

,Now it will be seen that when the main framework is opened out and the hammock X also as shown in Fig. 1 and the hammock and its supporting-frame is brought to a standstill with the clamp D loose the weight of said hammock upon the hangers B B will bring thecentering-rod E to a perfect plumb, which is necessary for the operation of the clocklike power device. Then the said clamp D is tightened and clasps the cross bar or beam and holds it rigid for the operation of the power device against the centering-rod E, so the hammock and its supporting-frame swings to and fro in the manner to that of a clock-pendulum by the action of the arm of the pallet F in connection with the said centering-rod E, as hereinbefore described.

.It will be seen that this hammock will operate anywhere in various unleveled places,

as it automatically levels and brings itself to a plumb position, as shown hereinbefore.

The entire device is simple in construction and operation and may be used in or out of doors, and changes in or modifications of the construction described may be made without departing from the spirit of our invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In adevice of the class described, amain framework composed of two parts hinged together at the top, a cross bar or beam mounted in the top of said framework and turnable therein, means for holding said cross bar or beam in a rigid position, a hammock attached to its frame and suspended from said cross bar vor beam, and depending therefrom and a spring power device rigidly connected with the supports of the hammock-frame and provided with an escapement, and an arm connected with the escapement and operating in connection with the rod which is suspended from the said cross bar or beam as hereinbefore described.

2. In a device of the class described amain framework composed of two parts hinged together at the top a cross-bar mounted in the top of said framework, a hammock-frame suspended from said bar and adapted to swing laterally, a canvas on said hammock-frame, a rod connected with said cross bar or beam and depending therefrom, and aspring power device connected 'with the supports of the hammock and provided with an escapement, and an arm connected with the escapement and operating in connection with the rod which is suspended from the said cross bar or beam as hereinbefore described.

3. In a device of the class described, a main framework composed of two parts hinged together at the top, a cross-bar mounted in the top of said frame, a hammock-frame, suspended from said cross bar or beam and depending therefrom, a spring power device connected with the supports of the hammock and provided with an escapement, and operating in connection with said hammock comprising a framework composed of two hinged parts, adapted to be folded substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as 'our invention We have signed our names, in presence of the subscribing witnesses,this 10th day of April, 1903.

MERRIAN NELVIN 'WVERTZ. JOHN JOSEPH PARNELL.

Witnesses:

MIL'roN ANTHONY FLEnTwooD, JOHN WILLIAM HENRY MrrcHnLL. 

